Flight Sim / Game Pass / 3rd Party Controller - why is everything so difficult?

Martin Silman · Feb 10, 2023

I want Flight Simulator but was not sure my kit was compatible, so rather than buy it outright I saw it was available on GamePass so I thought I would sign up and try it.

Have a number of devices, but to start with, I have a Microsoft Surface Pro X running Windows 11 Home and thought I would try it on that. I signed up for Game Pass and got nowhere, so upgraded to Ultimate and that did not help much, so next step was to buy the game outright (discounted as I have Game Pass) - I assumed this would give me a download option, but apparently I have to do this through the XBox app....

The app wont let me do anything as it says I have no controller attached - I do have a controller, it is wired (usb) and is a 'DOYO Wired USB Gaming Controller Gamepad Joystick' and works fine with the PC but the XBox app does not see it.

Am tearing my hair out trying to do a really simple thing which is to download and run Flight Sim - what am I doing wrong and why does MS make it all so hard?

:)

Martin Silman

Thanks for this - I had intended to buy a Thrustmaster HOTAS stick but while trying to get my current controller working I think I saw something saying the GamePass version of Flight Sim only supported an XBox controller which is not what I want at all - can someone confirm whether this is the case (in which case I have bought a load of licenses and subscriptions and an item of kit all of which are useless!)

SwordofWhedon

Are you playing through the cloud?

https://support.xbox.com/en-US/help/games-apps/cloud-gaming/cloud-gaming-tested-controllers

Only these controllers are supported at this time

It's likely not compatible with Xinput. By all indications since they don't really seem to be available this is a discount controller

I would recommend you purchase a controller from a more recognized brand, and verify its compatibility.

If you are playing locally, here is a list of officially supported controllers. Anything else and your mileage may vary

https://flightsimulator.zendesk.com...re-compatible-with-Microsoft-Flight-Simulator-

ThisGameIsSucky

I can also confirm the Insider login on the Microsoft Flight Sim website does appear to be bugged. As another user had stated trying to post on their forums may be justified but, the problem I forsee with that is that it prompts you to either login or
create an account on the MS Flight Sim website. So for sure see about am official/3rd party reddit page. https://www.reddit.com/r/MicrosoftFlightSim/

LoftyBee

I love Flight Sims but the older I get the more I find it difficult to remember all the controls/buttons etc, especially with the more modern games but will definately give it a try.

Thanks for posting.

Bluntman1138

Petitions arent allowed on the forums, so dont start one.

.

Also, with FLight Sim, it is suppose to be a flight "sim". The number of buttons needed for the game is to reflect the number of controls in real life.

.

You would literally have to make Flight Sim a really crappy game in order to put in on a console. It would play like a standard fighter game, only with out any combat.

Flight Sim / Game Pass / 3rd Party Controller - why is everything so difficult?